‘I was both one and zero, creator and destroyer, disease and cure, God and monster.’
A Rose Original Production, The Creature: Frankenstein retold is written by Ciaran McConville. It is directed by Lucy Morrell with associate Director Josh Mathieson.
This professional debut for Rose Youth Theatre alumni runs Thursday 27 to Saturday 29 February at Rose Theatre Kingston.
An arctic vessel trapped in the frozen ocean, takes on a stranger far from shore, who warns of an impending attack from a creature of superhuman strength. As the captain tries to find some way of defending his cargo, a horrifying story emerges.
This unflinching, contemporary retelling of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece is a professional debut for alumni of the distinguished Rose Youth Theatre.
The Artiscape spoke to director Lucy Morrell about the production.
What are the challenges for you as a director in putting this play together?
Morrell: This play is a restaging of a version we took to the Oldenburg State Theatre, Germany in 2019. This was as part of a festival celebrating the relationship between our twinned cities.
It has been a challenge to adapt it for the Rose stage as the studio space in Germany was very different. Each playing space comes with its own challenges but we are so lucky that both spaces offer such unique and exciting opportunities for the production.
The play takes place in multiple locations and in different time periods. It is a real challenge to create the different worlds and locations so that the audience is taken on a journey. Much of this is done through movement and ensemble moments which involve the entire cast working together seamlessly.
Can you tell us a bit about the importance of giving young actors their professional debut?
Morrell: I am passionate about arts education and am excited that we have been given the opportunity to take this a step further. We work with a huge number of wonderful and dedicated young people here at Rose Participate.
As part of what we do we are dedicated to supporting emerging artist and giving them opportunities and experience in this incredibly challenging industry.
This is the first time we have done this type of professional debut and we would love the opportunity to offer more of our alumni similar opportunities in the future.
What are you looking forward to in directing this production?
Morrell: I can’t wait to get back into the rehearsal room with this group of wonderful actors. They bring so much intelligence and energy to the work. I am also looking forward to working with our fantastic production and creative team here at the Rose.
How did you prepare for this?
Morrell: I am lucky in that this is the third time I have got to work on this play and am fortunate enough to have worked closely with playwright Ciaran McConville.
For the production at the Rose I have taken what worked in previous productions and evolved and developed those ideas along with my Associate Director Josh Mathieson and the cast. We are also working with wonderful designers to bring the story to life.
What do you think an audience will enjoy about this production?
Morrell:I think they will enjoy the modern and technological twist on Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein.
The play shares many themes with Shelly’s work of good and evil (gods and Monsters), the invasion of technology on modern life, the human treatment of those around us and links to the natural world. However, it still manages to feel new and fresh.
I think they will also enjoy the rich and dynamic characters and the twist and turns in the plot.
The Creature: Frankenstein retold runs Thu 27 Feb – Sat 29 Feb at Rose Theatre Kingston. Book here.
This production is part funded by donations to our Rose Youth Theatre fund.
